2025 F1 Las Vegas GP Preview: The Final Stretch Begins

The 2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix marks the kickoff of the last stretch of the championship season. With a thrilling triple-header to end the year, tensions are rising as the battle for the title intensifies. After a dominant race weekend in Brazil, Lando Norris has positioned himself as the clear favorite heading into Las Vegas.

Currently, the championship standings feature Lando Norris leading the pack, followed by Oscar Piastri in second place and Max Verstappen sitting in third. The Las Vegas GP is known for its unpredictable weather conditions, which often include very cold temperatures—a challenge for many teams when it comes to generating adequate tire heat. As we approach the third iteration of this race, what can we expect? Let’s take a closer look.

Key Storylines for the 2025 F1 Las Vegas GP

1. The Title Battle: Who Holds the Advantage?

Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri by 24 points and Max Verstappen by 49 points, a healthy but delicate advantage. Any misstep from Norris could bring his rivals right back into title contention. Additionally, if Norris outscores Verstappen by 9 points in Las Vegas, the Dutch driver will be effectively eliminated from the championship fight. This weekend could prove pivotal in determining the direction of the title race.

2. Mastering the Challenging Conditions

The cold temperatures in Las Vegas create far-from-ideal conditions. Last year, Mercedes excelled under similar circumstances, securing a 1-2 finish with George Russell taking the victory. The track demands low downforce and high efficiency—a domain where Red Bull has traditionally excelled. However, whether the RB21 can generate sufficient tire temperature in these conditions remains to be seen.

3. Can McLaren Overcome Its Struggles?

Low downforce combined with cold temperatures has historically been McLaren’s Achilles’ heel. The Las Vegas GP presents both these challenges, and last season’s performance suggested the McLaren car simply doesn’t suit the track. With a tight field, a poor weekend might result in a finish well outside the top 5. McLaren’s performance here could have serious implications for the championship battle.

Form Guide

In Form: Lando Norris

Lando Norris is peaking at the perfect time, having swept the last two race weekends in Mexico and Brazil. Heading into Las Vegas, Norris has his first chance to push Max Verstappen further out of the title fight, hoping McLaren’s disadvantage at this track isn’t too significant.

Out of Form: Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari boss John Elkann recently made pointed comments about Lewis Hamilton. Despite Hamilton’s efforts to impact team culture, his primary role as a ‘driver’ remains under scrutiny due to his lackluster results this season. Ferrari is focused on securing P2 in the championship, and Hamilton will be eager to deliver a positive performance in Las Vegas.

Driver Spotlight: Oscar Piastri

Since his win at Zandvoort, Oscar Piastri has not finished ahead of teammate Lando Norris in any of the subsequent six races. Errors and a bit of bad luck have transformed him from championship favorite to a driver struggling to capitalize on his opportunities. The Las Vegas GP serves as Piastri’s first chance to halt this decline, with all eyes on his pace relative to Norris.

2025 F1 Las Vegas GP: Predictions

Race Winner

Mercedes has demonstrated throughout the season—particularly at Baku and Canada—that its car thrives when temperatures drop and low downforce is needed. The Las Vegas GP offers both conditions, so we expect Mercedes to once again shine. Our race winner pick is an unexpected one: Kimi Antonelli is tipped to clinch his first F1 victory this weekend.

Biggest Surprise of the Weekend (Team)

Red Bull could emerge as the biggest surprise. Their low downforce and low temperature setup worked well in Baku, and while tire temperature remains a concern, the RB21 may perform better than expected.

Biggest Surprise of the Weekend (Driver)

Oscar Piastri is our pick for the standout driver this weekend. After a downward spiral, Piastri appeared rejuvenated in Brazil by besting Norris over the race weekend. Look for him to build on that momentum in Las Vegas.

Biggest Disappointment of the Weekend (Team)

McLaren faces intense scrutiny, especially since last season they were nowhere near the front in Las Vegas. While improvements have been made in low temperature and low downforce conditions, the team has yet to reap significant rewards. A poor performance here would be a major setback.

Biggest Disappointment of the Weekend (Driver)

Yuki Tsunoda is essentially fighting for his future during the last three races of the season. However, it seems Red Bull may have already made their decision. Tsunoda drives a spec of the car without all the upgrades available to Max Verstappen, yet is judged by the same standards. Expect him to struggle once again at this race.

As the 2025 season nears its conclusion, the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix promises drama, strategic battles, and pivotal moments that could define the championship. Stay tuned for what is set to be an electrifying weekend under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

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